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Winery · Hummelstown, PA
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is an estate winery on a 135-acre fifth-generation family farm just off Route 39 near Hummelstown, PA — about two miles west of Hersheypark. They grow their own grapes, produce their own wines and hard ciders, and host live music and food trucks throughout the warmer months.
Our take Cassel Vineyards is a natural pairing with a day at any of the Hershey-area attractions — head west on Route 39 for a few minutes after you're done and land somewhere quieter.
There is something genuinely different about visiting a winery where the family has been farming the same land for over 120 years. The Cassel farm has been in the family since 1903, and the sixth generation is now putting their own stamp on it through a line of hard ciders alongside the traditional wines. It is not a winery that was built to look like a winery — it is a working farm that became one, and that comes through in the atmosphere. For anyone visiting the Hershey area who wants a quieter, more local afternoon, this is worth the short detour off the tourist corridor.
The five-acre vineyard grows six varieties: Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Concord, and Niagara. From that footprint, the Cassel family produces an award-winning lineup of wines alongside the hard cider operation. Summer months add an events calendar with local musicians, open-mic Sundays, and food trucks — enough programming to make repeat visits feel fresh. The location on Route 39 keeps it accessible without being in the middle of the Hershey commercial corridor, which is part of its appeal.
The wine side of this farm is younger than the farm itself, which is part of what makes it worth a stop. The land has been worked since 1903 — historically as Cassel's Brookside Stables, and there are still horses on the property — but the vineyard didn't go in until 2008, when the family planted an acre of Cabernet Franc and added four more acres the next year. The founders did it on top of full-time teaching jobs, working the rows and the tasting bar after school and on weekends. Today brothers Chris and Craig Cassel run it with their wives Jody and Becky. You can taste at the indoor bar, on an enclosed heated patio, or outside, and you're free to wander into the vineyard to see the grapes up close.
One thing the weekly schedule doesn't capture: the winery is seasonal, open roughly March through December and closed for about two months in winter. So even when the weekly hours look right, a midwinter visit isn't guaranteed — confirm both the season and the day's hours on casselvineyards.com before heading out.
On Shetland Drive off Route 39, Hummelstown, PA
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is in Hummelstown, PA. The map shows both pins — Cassel Vineyards of Hershey and our shop in Grantville — so you can see exactly where it sits relative to us.
Tasting flight: $12 for five samples plus a complimentary glass. On-site food is intentionally limited — bring your own picnic if you want a full spread. Wines and ciders are handcrafted in small batches, so the lineup shifts with the season; confirm current availability at casselvineyards.com.
It is about two miles west on Route 39 — a five-minute drive from the main Hersheypark entrance. The vineyard is easy to reach without getting back onto the highway.
Yes — this is a true estate winery. The grapes are grown on the farm's five-acre vineyard and the wines are produced on site. They also produce their own hard ciders through the Next Gen Cider line developed by the sixth generation of the family.
They do, especially in warmer months. The events calendar typically includes live music on select evenings, open-mic Sundays, and food truck appearances. Check their website at casselvineyards.com for current scheduling before you plan your visit.
It runs seasonally — roughly March through December — and closes for a couple of months each winter, so a January or February visit isn't a sure thing. Even in season the weekly hours shift around events, so confirm dates and times at casselvineyards.com before you make the drive.
Yes on both. You're welcome to pack a picnic to pair with the wines; on-site food is limited but includes cheese trays, charcuterie boards, and wine slushies. The tasting room is 21+ for alcohol, but they pour grape juice for kids, so families can come along — just plan to bring most of your own food.
If you're making an afternoon of it in Hummelstown, a few of our other guide picks are minutes away and round out the day for a group with mixed tastes.
Also in Hummelstown — an easy beer-after-wine (or the other way around) stop just a few minutes away for anyone in the group who'd rather have a pint.
A short drive south, and a cool, all-weather underground tour that works well with kids in tow before the 21+ tasting stop.
Just east toward Hershey — pair the winery with a bigger brewery for a full drinks-and-grounds day near Hershey.
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Visiting the Hershey area and need a mechanic? NextGen AutoWorks is a family-owned shop in Grantville, about 12 minutes north — we handle auto repair, tires, and PA state inspections. Traveling and something went wrong? Here's what to do if you have car trouble near Hershey — or book an appointment.
Verified via: Cassel Vineyards of Hershey (official site) · Cassel Vineyards — Champagne Tastes (review) · Cassel Vineyards — Tripadvisor · Cassel Vineyards — official Upcoming Events page · Visit Hershey & Harrisburg — Cassel Vineyards listing · Pennsylvania Wines — Cassel Vineyards winery profile · Hershey Partnership — Cassel Vineyards listing
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey is an independent local business we're featuring in our guide — we're not affiliated. Details are from the business and public sources and were accurate at the time of writing; please confirm current hours before visiting.